Obama, Hollande talk euro zone, Afghanistan, cheeseburgers

Friday, May 18, 2012 - 01:37

May 18 - The euro zone, Afghanistan and cheeseburgers were on the agenda at French President Francois Hollande's first meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House. Deborah Gembara reports.

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French President Francois Hollande wrapped up his first week in the new job with a meeting at the White House.
The Eurozone, particularly how to handle budgets while promoting growth dominated talks between him and U.S. President Barack Obama
SOUNDBITE: U.S. President Barack Obama saying
"President Hollande and I agreed that this is an issue of extraordinary importance, not only to the people of Europe, but
also to the world economy."
The two leaders also discussed the role world powers will play in Afghanistan.
Hollande made sure to remind Obama of a pledge he made to his countrymen to pull troops out by the end of the year. .
SOUNDBITE: French President Francois Hollande saying (French):
That being said, we will continue to support Afghanistan, in a different way. Our support will take a different format, and all of that will be in good understanding with our allies."
President Obama also took the opportunity to tease Hollande who spent some time in the U.S. in youth about American fast food.
SOUNDBITE: French President Francois Hollande saying (English):
I will make no declaration about French Fries.
After the G8 meeting at Camp David, the two leaders will head to a NATO summit that Obama is hosting in Chicago this weekend.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.

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